Help, My Client Wants to Gossip!
Article from blog.psprint.com by Valerie Thompson
I love writing these types of posts because, although as artists we need to know how to create eye-catching imagery, as business owners, we have to know how to navigate those tricky situations that can sometimes make or break a business deal.
I recently had a consultation with a client. We knew some of the same people, as they were a referral from another client of mine. Being the friendly person that I am, it is imperative that I make new clients feel that they can talk to me casually (I hate stuffy meetings!). But when this particular client started a rather detailed, albeit negative conversation about another client of mine, I had to make a decision on how to handle it.
In most towns, people run in circles. Once you meet someone, you’ve really been linked to a whole network of their friends and colleges, and you’ll be surprised at who ends up knowing whom. This is a great way to get your business name out there and into the minds of people who will refer you to future clients. It is also an easy way for people to talk about each other and for hearsay to spread among people who had nothing to do with the particular situation they’re discussing.
What does this all have to do with you? Well, when I was sitting there listening to my future client talk in not so favorable terms about my present client I did what any smart person would do who wants to keep her business and the peace. I kept my mouth shut! Here are four things to do when confronted with business gossip…
1. Keep your mouth shut!
Whatever is going on between client No. 1 and client No. 2 is none, I repeat, none of your business. You are not to take sides, judge or comment; you’ll only be shooting yourself in the foot! If you comment or offer an opinion, you not only risk offending the person you’re having the conversation with, but that person may have no problem relaying what you’ve said back to someone else, or even worse, your other client! You may think that it’s harmless conversation, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry in this case.
2. Change the subject
You were meeting about graphics for this client’s custom mailing labels, not the latest soap opera. If pleasant conversation gets too far off track, jump back in with your next meeting point, or give a quick update on the decisions that you’ve agreed on so far. Once your client sees that you’re not interested in participating in the gossip, they will probably move on.
